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STABILIZATION OF CLAYEY SOIL USING
SUGARCANE BAGASSE ASH AND RICE HUSK ASH:
REVIEW
Shivam Bachchhas1 D.K. Soni
2
1M.Tech Student, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
2Professor, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
ABSTRACT
High cost of traditional stabilizers like lime, cement, bitumen etc. and problem of disposal of agricultural
industry waste resulted into investigation of potential of agricultural industry waste in stabilizing the clayey
soils. Treatment of clayey soil using sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash is very simple, economical and
pollution controlling and also solves the problem of their disposal. As per chemical analysis of sugarcane
bagasse ash it exhibits certain pozzolanic properties as it is rich in oxides of silica and aluminum. Rice husk ash
also is a very good pozolona as contain good amount of amorphous silica which can be used as stabilizer.
Paper describes the trial study of effectiveness of sugarcane bagasse and rice hush ash to stabilized clayey soils.
Rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash were mixed in the clayey soil in different proportions and various
geotechnical characteristics were investigated through unconfined compression test, compaction test. Result
shows that addition of sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash has significant effect on geotechnical
characteristics of clayey soil, which shows the effectiveness of these agricultural industry waste in stabilizing
the clayey soil and encourages their bulk utilization.
Keywords: clayey soil, Geotechnical characteristics, Rice husk ash, Sugarcane bagasse ash.
I. INTRODUCTION
Soil can be defined as the upper layer of the earth consisting of air, water and solid particles is generally
produced by disintegration of rocks. It is the cheapest construction material available in the most part of country
but it properties vary from point to point specially in case of clayey soil. They cause great engineering problems
due to high compressibility, water holding capacity, low strength, low bearing capacity and being active. Due to
all these problem clayey soil offers problem in construction of pavements, embankments, foundations and many
other structures. So it is very much necessary to treat these soils. These properties can be improved through the
process of soil stabilization using different type of stabilizers. Use of stabilizer for improving the durability and
strength of soil is not new as in past natural oils, plant juice, animal dung etc. have been used across the world.
The oldest record is use of straw stabilized mud or clay blocks was found in greece back in 4600 BC and then
spread in other part of the world.
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So, as clayey soils have undesirable engineering properties. They show low shear strength on wetting and under
physical disturbances. Clayey soils are normally associated with volumetric changes when subjected to change
in water content because of seasonal water fluctuations. Furthermore, problems of high compressibility can
cause severe damage to civil engineering construction. Therefore, these soil must be treated before commencing
the construction operation to achieved desired properties. Different methods are available to improve the
engineering properties of such soil these consist of mainly densification, chemical stabilization, reinforcement
and techniques of pore water pressure reduction.
Scientific techniques have been introduced in recent years which proves to be very effective in increasing the
strength and durability of clay. Stabilized soils proves to be very useful construction material especially if
locally available industrial or natural materials are used. Treatment of clayey soil using sugarcane bagasse ash
and rice husk ash is very simple, economical and pollution controlling.
Bagasse is the fibrous residue generated after the juice has been extracted from the sugarcane plant and
generally deposited as waste and it clutter the environment. About one third portion of the sugarcane convert
into bagasse after the extraction of juice which is utilized as a fuel for the generation of steam which eventually
results in bagasse ash. This ash is normally dumped in waste landfill which create environment problems. When
this bagasse is left in open it ferments and decays, which when inhaled in large doses can result in respiratory
disease known as bagassiosis. However, this bagasse ash is a pozzolanic material which is very rich in oxides of
silica and aluminium which can be used for stabilization of clayey soil. This result in solving the disposal
problem of bagasse ash and proves to be a cheap stabilizer which in long run helps to have overall economy in
the construction.
Rice husk is the outer most layer of protection of encasing of a rice grain. It is slightly larger than the grain of
rice. It is light weight having a ground bulk density of around 340 kg per meter cube to 400 kg per meter cube.
During milling about 78% weight is received as rice and rest 22% weight of paddy as husk. This husk is useful
fuel in rice mills to generate steam. This husk consists of 75% of volcanic organic matter and rest 25% get
converted into ash during the firing process known as rice husk ash (RHA). This RHA is a very good super
pozzolana as it contains good amount of amorphous silica which can be used as a stabilizer to enhance the
durability and strength of clayey soils.
Stabilizers with pozzolanic properties can bind soil particles together and reduce the water absorption by clay
particles thus results into increase in durability and strength of clayey soil.
Use of soil stabilization
The soil stabilization techniques are mainly used for
1. To improve the strength of soil.
2. To reduce the permeability and compressibility of soil.
3. To increase the bearing capacity of soil.
4. To increase the CBR vale of soil.
5. To reduce the shrinkage and swelling tendency of soil.
.
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II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Soil stabilization is a technique to improve the soil by using different stabilizers to enhance the properties of
weak soil. Numerous methods are available for stabilizing soil. A brief review of literature on stabilization of
soil with rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash along with certain other materials is presented below.
Jagdish Chand and Aditya Agarwal (Dec, 2013): discussed about the use of rice husk ash and fly ash
combination for the stabilization of highly compressible clay. Clay was stabilized by taking 5%, 10%, 15%,
20% and 25% of fly ash and rice husk ash and effect of stabilization on index properties like shrinkage limit,
plastic limit, liquid limit, and compaction were studied.
A general decrease in shrinkage limit was observed when clay was stabilized using rice husk and fly ash. A
large decrease in compression index and increase in stiffness was observed with increase in percentage of rice
husk ash and fly ash as stabilizer. It was also observed that OMC increase and MDD decrease using rice husk
ash while MDD increase and OMC decrease using fly ash. However, a general increase in shear strength was
observed when soil was stabilized using rice husk ash and fly ash.
Patrick barasa, Dr. Too, Kiptanui Jonah and S.M. Mulei: discussed the use of sugarcane bagasse with lime
to stabilize the clayey soil. Sugarcane bagasse ash mainly contain silica and potassium, aluminum and
magnesium as minor component and exhibit pozzolanic properties. The research investigates the properties of
clayey soil when stabilized with lime, sugarcane ash and combination of these two. Research mainly covered
grading test, plasticity index (PI) and California bearing ratio (CBR). First varying percentage of lime (4%, 5%,
6%) of lime was used to stabilize clay soil and then plasticity index and CBR were determined. The same
procedure was repeated for bagasse ash and finally the varying combination of lime and bagasse ash 1:4, 2:3,
3:2, and 4:1 were used.
The PI of soil decrease with increase in quantity of sugarcane bagasse ash, lime and lime to ash ratio. The
addition of lime or bagasse ash help in reducing the swelling and shrinkage hence reduction in plasticity. CBR
increased with increase in amount of lime added but decreased in case of sugarcane bagasse ash. The
combination of lime and bagasse ash gives good result as per road design manual.
From the result it’s been observe that sugarcane bagasse ash proves to be more effective when used in
combination with lime as when used alone there was huge decrease in CBR value (drops from 11 to 2) although
there was slight reduction in plasticity index (PI).
Addition of lime reduce linear shrinkage to a greater degree than the same percentage of bagasse ash. When the
lime and bagasse ash were used in a combination of 4:1, the stabilization result confirms with the set standard of
California bearing ratio, plasticity index and linear shrinkage with negligible swelling.
Bharat Bhushan Jindal and Nirpinder jain: discussed about the use of rice husk ash along with pound ash,
cement and phosphogypsum for stabilization of fine soils. Phosphogypsum is another kind of waste calcium
sulphate produced by fertilizer plant during production of phosphoric acid, a major constitute of many
fertilizers. It contains many impurities which can contaminate the ground soil and ground water if not properly
utilized. CBR test were conducted on the test samples with varying percentage of rice husk ash along with other
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and change in CBR value was noticed. It was found that CBR value increase significantly on addition of these
materials. The CBR values were increased by 624%, 752% and 980 % on addition of 20% rice husk, 20% pond
ash and 3% cement for 7 days, 14days and 28 days curing of sample respectively. Also the CBR values were
increased by 672%, 787% and 1057 % on addition of 20% rice husk, 20% pond ash, 3% cement and 0.5%
phasphogypsum for 7 days, 14days and 28 days curing of sample respectively.
J.Choobbasti and H. Ghodrat(2010): worked on clayey soil using lime and rice husk ash and the results
indicate that adding lime and rice husk ash (RHA) causes increase in dry density and decrease in optimum water
content. Stabilization of clayey soil with lime and rice husk results into decrease in liquid limit and plastic limit
soil. There were sign of decrease in compressibility of soil. Stabilization using rice husk ash (RHA) and lime
results into increase in shear strength of the soil.
Chibuikem C. Okoro ,John Vongtman (2011): focused on the consolidation characteristics of two soils
stabilized with rice husk ash, lime and plastic waste. Three groups of specimens were prepared: the first group
consisted of specimens prepared with 10% rice husk ash and 6% lime and then cured for 28 days; the second set
of specimens was prepared with recycled plastic waste with a plastic to soil ratio (PSR) one; and the last group
consisted of specimens prepared with raw soils and compacted at near optimum moisture content and maximum
dry unit weight. The last group was considered a baseline to assess the effect of RHA, lime and plastic waste on
the consolidation characteristics. Results showed that RHA, lime and plastic waste stabilization reduced the
compressibility of soil. In addition, both the compression index (Cc) and swelling index (Cs) decreased due to
RHA, lime and plastic waste stabilization. The percentage changes in Cc and Cs varied with the type of
stabilizing agents.
Anil Kumar Sharma and P.V. sivapullaiah (Dec, 2011): worked on the use of fly ash and ground granulated
blast furnace slag (GGBS) to stabilized the expansive clayey soil. The investigator added some quantity of lime
also to increase the pozzolanic reactions and to increase the PH. The geotechnical characteristics were
investigated through the atterberg limit tests, compaction tests and unconfined compressive strength test.
Both OMC and MDD found to be decrease with the addition of GGBS. This is due to predominant effects of
reducing clay content and increased frictional resistance respectively. It was observed that the strength of soil
increases with increase in curing period with increase in GGBS content along with fly ash. Based on the result
of this research investigator said that clayey soil can be effectively stabilized using fly ash and GGBS and can
be used in high way embankment and it can provide fill material of comparable strength to most soils.
III. OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The high cost of traditional stabilizers and industrial waste disposal problem has led to intense global research
towards economical utilization of industrial and agricultural waste for engineering purpose. The main objective
of the study is:
1) To investigate the potential of using agricultural waste and industrial waste in the field of geotechnical
engineering.
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2) To monitor the effect of different combination of sugarcane bagasse ash and rice husk ash on the
engineering properties of clayey soil including compaction and unconfined compressive strength study.
3) To monitor the change in liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, plasticity index, dry density resulting
from various combination of stabilizers.
4) After monitoring all these aspects coming to certain conclusion regarding the use of sugarcane bagasse ash
and rice husk ash to stabilized clayey soil.
III. MATERIAL USED
Soil: The soil which will be used in the investigation will be local soil of Kurukshetra.
Sugarcane bagasse ash: Sugarcane bagasse ash will be taken from sar shadi laal sugar mill, Shamli (Uttar
Pradesh).
Rice husk ash: It will be collected from Kohinoor food limited GT road Murthal (Haryana)
Mixing proportions: Soil, sugarcane bagasse ash, rice husk ash is to be mixed thoroughly to have a uniform
and homogenous mixture. Sample will be prepared using different combination of rice husk ash, sugarcane
bagasse ash and parent soil and different tests will be conducted on the prepared samples and result will be
compared with the original clay sample. It’s been planned to prepare 4 sample using different proportions.
Details of sample are as following:
Sample 1
Parent clay –70%
Rice husk ash –10%
Sugarcane bagasse ash – 20%
Sample 2
Parent clay –60%
Rice husk ash –15%
Sugarcane bagasse ash – 25%
Sample 3
Parent clay –50%
Rice husk ash –20%
Sugarcane bagasse ash – 30%
Sample 4
Parent clay – 100%
IV. TESTING PROGRAMME
The soil, rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash collected from the different will be pulverized to break the
lumps with wooden hammer and then dried in air under covered area. Then it was sieved through 2.35mm IS
sieve and mixed thoroughly both individually and as per sample requirement time to time. For each test required
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quantity will be taken and dried in an oven at 105˚ C + 5˚ C or 105˚C - 5˚ C for 24 hours and then will be
allowed to cool at room temperature.
On the prepared samples following test are planned to be conduct as per codal provisions:
1. Grain size analysis: grain size analysis will be done for each material respectively to have an idea about
the grain size of the individual material that is being used in the investigation.
2. Specific gravity: specific gravity of all three materials i.e. soil, SBA and RHA will be find out as per given
standard given in code. Specific gravity is needed to find certain other parameters like shrinkage ratio and
unit weight.
3. Liquid limit: liquid limit test will be performed as per given in the code on the all four sample.
4. Plastic limit: plastic limit test will be performed as per given in the code on the all four sample as per codal
provision.
5. Standard Procter test: standard Procter test will be performed as per given in the code on the all four
sample as per codal provision.
6. Unconfined compression strength test: unconfined compressive strength test will be performed as per
given in the code on the all four sample as per codal provision.
7. California bearing ratio: CBR test will be performed as per given in the code on the all four sample as per
codal provision.
After all this work a comparative study of result of test for all samples will be done to come to certain
conclusion regarding use rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse as stabilizer to stabilized clayey soil.
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